Kohki Hiramatsu, An-Tai Lu

As Mexican immigrants continue to arrive in the United States, cities are scrambling to meet their needs. One way to address the health and social challenges faced by immigrants is designing housing that facilitates growing, cooking, and sharing food within the community. Austin, Texas, a city renowned for its welcoming and inclusive attitude toward immigrants, has established programs and services to support and protect its immigrants. The city has provided shared kitchen and garden spaces, enabling immigrants to grow and cook wholesome foods, share meals with neighbors, and build social connections within the community. Of particular concern is the situation of unaccompanied children who make the journey to the border, many of whom are fleeing violence, poverty, or other difficult circumstances in their home countries. The needs of these children could be addressed by constructing dormitories in the housing developments and providing a mentorship program. These units could also include shared kitchen and garden spaces, allowing children to participate in food traditions and develop healthy eating habits. By taking measures like these, the city could create a more equitable and inclusive society for all immigrants who arrive in Austin.